She lowered her gaze to his chin. “I—” Determination flared in her eyes, turning the irises to darkest brown and sending a trickle of alarm across his shoulders.
Her swallow was audible. She inhaled deeply. “I have bad memories that sometimes put me in a…well, a bad mood. I regretfully admit that sometimes I let that affect how I treat others.”
Yeah, it sounded reasonable—almost. “Why me?”
“Sorry?” Her brows rose.
“Why treat me like that but no one else?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it without uttering a word. Then she tried again. “All I can say is I’m sorry. I regret my behavior. Will you forgive me?”
“Of course.” Forgiveness was easy even though he didn’t understand.
Mr. Zacharius had almost reached them, carefully choosing his own way up the hill. He gave them a curious look as if to ask why they’d chosen this muddy, unforgiving spot to have any sort of discussion.
Indeed. But Nash had to know what was going on between himself and Addie before he continued, and he didn’t mean only the trail or the ride to Golden Valley.
She’d given an explanation, and he accepted it even though it left unanswered questions.
Her behavior hadn’t fit with the picture he’d constructed of a gentle, kind, sweet young woman.
Was she what he thought? Or was she given to times of unkind behavior?
Fourteen
Addie stood at Mother’s side as Hawk and Nash guided the horses over the treacherous trail. One misstep and the coach and animals would go over the edge. There’d be no bringing them back.
Nash and Hawk wouldn’t let that happen without doing everything in their power to prevent it. Even putting themselves at risk. A shudder rattled her teeth. Nash could die before her very eyes, leaving her with a guilty conscience for the rest of her life.
Why hadn’t she told him she’d seen that name on his saddlebags? Given him a chance to explain? But even though she’d decided not to judge him, she had to her shame and regret.
She’d tell him the first chance she got to speak privately to him.
The outer back wheel slid toward the drop-off. “Oh no.” She grabbed Mother’s arm and hung on. Hawk and Nash, with the latter closest to the edge, pulled on the horses, urging them to put in more effort. He slipped, going down on his bottom.
“No. No.” She whispered the words, her legs buckling. She drew in a draft of damp air when he regained his footing, and the horses moved forward.
The coach reached higher ground, all four wheels safely on solid ground. The spectators released sighs of relief. Nash and Hawk set to work cleaning the horses’ legs and kicking mud off the spokes. This was not the time to ask Nash about the saddlebags. But now that she’d made up her mind to do so, Addie wanted to get it done. She’d missed the friendship and openness she and Nash had shared so naturally.
Hawk turned to them. “You can get in the coach again, and we’ll be on our way.”
Nash assisted Mother and Addie up the narrow step. Addie smiled at him, a silent promise to clear the air between them. A flash of sunlight in his eyes rewarded her. He dipped his head in acknowledgment before he backed away and climbed up to join Hawk.
She wasn’t disappointed. It wasn’t as if she’d ever get a chance to say anything private in the coach. But Addie sighed as she took her place by Mother. Travel had been challenging for the older woman, and Addie studied her closely. She was pale and tired-looking.
“I’m fine,” Mother assured her.
Addie nodded. Thankfully, Mother was improving and able to endure the rest of the journey even though she wasn’t fine and likely wouldn’t be until she settled back in the company of Father.
They rattled and swayed along the trail, every turn of the wheels bringing them closer to their destination.
The horn sounded, signaling to the next station that they were drawing near. The first time Addie heard it, she’d leaned out the window expecting an army to approach. Mr. Zacharius had explained.
There would be no time to say anything to Nash here. Hawk was in more of a hurry than usual. They would barely have a chance to use the outhouse and get a drink from the well.
The coach swayed to a stop. Addie helped Mother down, and they rushed for the little house tucked away in the trees. By the time she’d gotten water for them both, the fresh horses were prancing, eager to be on their way.
Nash waited to help them aboard. She only had enough time to thank him and hope he understood her smile offered an explanation when they found an opportunity. Then, with Hawk calling for him to hurry, he joined the impatient driver, and they rattled onward.
